Liquid dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus which is especially useful for dispensing beer from kegs and which includes a keg adapter and a tapper for operative engagement therewith. The keg adapter has gas and liquid passageways containing normally closed valves, which when opened, permit compressed gas to be admitted to the keg and beer to be withdrawn therefrom, said valves being biased toward the closed position by actuators which contain permanent magnets. The tapper can be connected to a source of compressed gas and to a beer faucet and contains a tap rod, which, when manually actuated, seals the tapper to the adapter and interconnects the gas source and the faucet with the interior of the keg.

1111 3,836,053 1 1*Se t. 17, 1974 United States Patent 1191 Johnston LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnventofl Mack Johnston, 26 itching Post 1,051,589 2/1959 Germany 251/65 Dr., Rolling Hills, Calif. 90274 Notice: The portion of the term of this Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves patent subsequent to Sept. l 1, Assistant Examiner-David A. Scherbel I990, has been disclaimed. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles E. Wills [22] Filed: Aug. 3, 1973 Appl. No.: 385,358

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus which is especially useful for dispensing beer from kegs and which includes a keg adapter and a tapper for operative engagement therewith. The keg adapter has gas and liquid passageways containing normally closed valves, which when opened, permit compressed gas to be admitted to the keg and beer to be withdrawn therefrom, said valves being biased to- Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 189,281

, Oct. 14, 1971, Pat. No. 3,758,008.

[52] U.S. Cl. 222/400.7 [51] Int. B65d 83/00 [58] FIG of Search....................... 137/212; 251/65; ward the Closed position by actuators which contain 222/4007 400-8 permanent magnets. The tapper can be connected to a source of compressed gas and to a beer faucet and [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS contains a tap rod, which, when manually actuated, seals the tapper to the adapter and interconnects the 34 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures \llnllllil i gas source and the faucet with the interior of the keg.

3,228,413 l/l966 Stevens............................ 3,498,313 3/1970 Belich................... 3,758,008 9/1973 Johnston..................

PAIENIEBsm mu SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG. l3.

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS CROSS-REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 189,281, filed Oct. 14, l97l, now US. Pat. No. 3,758,008.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the siphoning art, and more particularly to a novel liquid dispensing apparatus which is especially useful for drawing liquids such as beer from barrels or kegs, utilizing a gas such asair or carbon dioxide as the pressure force.

For many years, the prevailing draft system for dispensing beer from kegs required a wooden cork which sealed an opening in one end of the keg, which cork was removed by the bartender who then inserted into the opening an elongated tap rod assembly which had a siphoning device associated therewith. Means were provided to inject compressed air or carbon dioxide into the kegthrough the tap rod assembly, whereby the beer was driven out of the keg through the siphoning device to a spigot or faucet which controlled the flow of beer from the keg.

Afterall of the available beer had been withdrawn from the keg, the bartender would then remove the tap rod assembly and siphoningdevice from the spent keg and repeat the process with a full keg. Inasmuch as the same tap rod assembly and siphoning device were used over and over again, it was necessary for the bartender to frequently clean the unit in an effort to remove old yeast deposits and bacteria so as to avoid contaminating the beer in the fresh barrel.

Another problem with the aforementioned draft system was that the spent or empty kegs had an opening in the end thereof from which the cork had been removed, which opening permitted all kinds of foreign matter and things to enter the keg. Consequently, the cleaning of these kegs at the brewery prior to refilling was a laborious and costly process.

Being familiar with the aforementioned problems, I invented various beer tapping assemblies which included a keg adapter mounted in the keg and including a spring-biased valve which remained closed to prevent the escape of beer until a tapper was engaged with the adapter and actuated to cause a probe to unseat the aforementioned valve and permit the beer to flow therefrom under pressure from a source of compressed air or carbon dioxide which was connected to the tapper. Various forms of my aforementioned adapter and tapper assembly are described in US. Pat. Nos.

3,610,478, and others.

Although the various forms of keg adapters and tappers shown and described in the aforementioned patents constituted a considerable improvement over prior beer tapping devices, they were not completely satisfactory, primarily because of the problems encountered with properly washing all of the various parts and passageways contained in the keg adapter, including the various coiled springs which maintained valves and parts in closed and engaged positions.

Another problem was that the force of the water used in washing the kegs with the keg adapter in position, was usually not strong enough to compress the main coil spring which held the beer valve in the closed position, and therefore it was necessary to employ a fixture with fingers which engaged and opened the various valves against the action of the biasing springs.

Yet another problem was that the coiled spring which was used for maintaining the main valve in a closed position prior to tapping, tended to become set in the compressed or valve-open position, whereby in subsequent installations it failed to effectively close the main valve while the keg was being transported, with theresultant loss of beer and internal gas pressure.

A further problem with existing equipment, is that it is often difficult for a woman bartender to properly engage the tapper with the keg adapter, and subsequently actuate the probe as to tap the keg.

With the aforementioned limitations and deficiencies of prior tapping equipment in mind, and the problems which have been encountered with my own improvements as referred to above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel keg adapter for beer kegs and the like which contains relatively few parts, thereby appreciably facilitating the washing thereof. More particularly, it is an object to provide a keg adapter with relatively few parts and in which such parts are of a simple configuration, and which contains relatively unobstructed beer and gas passageways, whereby the adapter can be properly cleaned while attached to the keg and with a minimum of time and effort. Specifically, it is an object to provide such an adapter which includes a body made from a plastic material and which can be mass-produced at a relatively low cost.

Another object is to provide a novel keg adapter which is completely devoid of spring biased valves, thereby obviating the aforementioned problems of set and washing difficulties. More particularly, it is an object to provide in such an adapter, valves which are biased toward the closed position by a force or pressure source which remains substantially constant regardless of the number of times the adapter is used and reused. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to employ valve actuators containing permanent magnets.

A further object is to provide a novel keg adapter in which the various beer and gas valves are effectively maintained in the closed position during shipping and prior to tapping, but which are easily opened by a stream of water during the cleaning operation and while the adapter is mounted in an empty keg.

Yet another object is to provide a novel tapper for use with the aforementioned keg adapter, which is simple in construction and easy to operate, whereby even the most inexperienced bartender can easily and quickly tap a keg of beer, using a minimum amount of physical force. More particularly, it is an object to provide such a novel tapper which can be installed by a simple push and twist operation, and which is forced into sealing engagement with the adapter by performing the tapping operation.

An additional object is to provide a novel tapper which prevents beer from flowing in the reverse direc-. tion from the faucet or spigot toward and out of the tapper, as when the tapper is disengaged from the keg adapter. More particularly, it is an object to provide such a tapper with valve means which automatically close prior to the disengagement of the tapper from the adapter, whereby beer is prevented from flowing in the reverse direction from the faucet toward and out of the tapper.

Yet another object is to provide a novel tapper which requires the tap rod to be disengaged and the gas flow into the keg cut off, before the tapper can be disengaged from the keg adapter.

I have discovered that the foregoing objects and advantages are achieved by liquid dispensing apparatus which comprises a keg adapter and a tapper, the keg adapter including a housing to be mounted in an opening in a keg and containing gas and liquid passageways provided with valves yieldably biased toward the closed position by actuators which contain permanent magnets. The magnetic actuators maintain the valves in the closed position during the filling of the keg and during shipment but are easily moved to the open position by a stream of water under pressure entering the passageways, as when the keg is being washed prior to refilling. The tapper is adapted to be connected to a source of compressed gas and to a faucet for dispensing the beer, and contains gas and liquid passageways in communication therewith, said passageways being provided with valves for controlling the flow of gas and liquid therethrough. The tapper is arranged for engagement with the keg adapter, and contains a tap rod, which, when manually actuated, seals the tapper to the adapter, opens the valves in the tapper, and opens the liquid valve in the adapter, whereby gas can flow into the keg and beer can be dispensed from the faucet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schemetic drawing of a liquid dispensing apparatus embodying the teachings of the present invention, shown installed in a keg of conventional construction and interconnected with a conventional source of gas pressure and with a conventional faucet or spigot;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, sectional view of the liquid dispensing apparatus with the keg adapter installed in a keg, the assembly being in the closed or untapped positron; I

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the upper portion of the tapper, viewed generally from the left of FIG. 2 and shown partially in cross-section to illustrate the construction of the gas passageways;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, horizontal, sectional view of the actuator for the tap rod assembly, taken generally on the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical, sectional view of the tapping assembly, similar to the view shown in FIG. 2, but with the assembly in the open or tapped positioned;

FIG. 6 is a top, plan view of the tapper, with the handle thereof in the closed or untapped position;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the upper portion of the tapper, taken on the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one form of a beer flow-controlling valve, removed from the assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal, sectional view through the keg adapter, taken on the line 99 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a vertical, sectional view through the keg adapter, showing the arrangement of the stationary permanent magnets, taken on the line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a modified form of keg adapter which is of a simplified and streamlined construction.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11, and

FIG. 13 is a vertical, sectional view taken on line 13l3 of FIG. 12, showing the staggered arrangement of the stationary, permanent magnets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Although the liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention can be used for siphoning various liquids from containers, it is especially suitable for use in the dispensing of draft beer, and will be so described. It is also to be understood that various types of gas pressure sources and faucets can be employed and that the keg and gas cylinder can be located under the counter in a tavern or bar, or in the basement or storage room of a restaurant.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, and specifically to FIG. 1, the number 12 indicates generally a liquid dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, shown installed in one form of beer keg 13 of conventional construction having a filling opening 14 closed by a bung 15, and interconnected with a cylinder of compressed air or carbon dioxide gas 16 by a gas hose 18, and with a faucet or spigot 20 by means of a beer hose 21. There are two main types of beer kegs in use at the present time the Golden Gate and the Peerless, which differ in the size and configuration of the tapping opening. The present invention is shown used with a Golden Gate keg. A related construction for use with Peerless" kegs is shown in my co-pending application Ser. No. 390,153, filed Aug. 20, 1973.

The apparatus 12 (FIG. 2) includes a tapper 22 which is engageable with a keg adapter 24, the latter being mounted in an opening 26 contained in the end wall 28 of the keg 14. The keg opening 26 contains an inwardly extending bottom flange portion 30 which provides a ledge 32, and is surrounded by an upwardly extending flange portion 34 which contains internal threads 36.

The keg adapter 24 (FIG. 2) includes a cylindrical adapter housing 38 which can be made from metal or rigid plastic material and includes an outwardly extending upper flange portion 40 which bears upon an O-ring 42 supported on the aforementioned ledge 32.

The adapter is held in position in the keg by a conventional retaining ring 43 which engages the upper face of the flange portion 40 and which contains an internal annular groove 45 with opposed slots 47.

The upper end of the adapter housing contains an annular groove having a bottom wall 44 and an outer side wall 46, the latter being provided with a shoulder 48.

Extending downwardly from the bottom wall 44 of the groove and through the housing, are two diametrically opposed gas passageways 50, each having a lower inner wall 51 and having a valve seat 52 in the upper portion thereof. Positioned in each of the gas passageways in a gas valve 54, which, in the preferred form, comprises a separate valve member 56 made from a tasteless and odorless resilient material such as Neoprene, and which is adapted to engage the valve seat 52, and a valve actuator 58 comprising an elongated permanent magnet 60 enclosed within a smooth casing 61 which is in sliding engagement with the lower wall 51 of the gas passageway. I have achieved excellent results with both magnesium and plastic cases, and cases made of stainless steel are also acceptable if the metal is very thin so as not to add too much weight to the actuator. In short, it is desirable to have the valve actuator as light in weight as possible. The upper end of the casing may be closed with a Teflon insert which holds the magnet firmly in position and without causing any binding in the gas passageway.

Embedded in the housing on opposite sides of each gas passageway and spaced an equal distance therefrom are two elongated permanent magnets 62 and 63 (FIG. 9 and The magnets 62 and 63 are generally parallel with the gas passageways 50, and the upper ends thereof (FIG. 10) are of the same polarity and are a short distance above the upper end of the movable magnet 60 when the gas valve is in the closed position. The polarity of the upper end of the movable magnet 60 is opposite from the polarity of the upper ends of the stationary magnets 62 and 63, whereby the upper ends of the movable magnets 60 are attracted to the upper ends of the stationary magnets 62 and 63.

I have discovered that with the aforementioned arrangement, there is sufficient magnetic attraction between each movable magnet 60 and its associated stationary magnets 62 and 63 that the gas valves 54 are securely maintained in the closed position while the keg is being shipped, but they are readily moved to the open position by gas pressure during the dispensing operation.

Diametrically opposed gas vents 64 are provided in the upper portion of the adapter housing in communication with the gas passageways 50 and adjacent to the valves 56, whereby gas can flow past the valve members 56 when they are in the open position, and into the interior of the keg 14, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Projecting upwardly from the center of the adapter housing 38 is a tubular bayonet portion 66 which includes an outer wall 68 provided with an external annular groove which receives an O-ring 70.

The center of the tubular bayonet portion provides a beer passageway 72 which contains a valve seat 74 (FIG. 2) and a lower inner wall 76, said passageway being in communication at the lower end thereof with a siphon tube 78 of conventional construction, said tube being removably fastened to the lower end of the adapter housing 38 by a threaded fitting. As shown in FIG. 1, the siphon tube 78 extends to adjacent the bottom wall of the keg 14, in a conventional manner.

Slidably mounted within the beer passageway 72 is a beer valve assembly which includes a valve member 80, preferably made from a tasteless and odorless resilient material such as Neoprene, and a valve actuator 82. These are shown as being separate members, but it is to be understood that the valve assembly could be of unitary construction. The valve member 80 is adapted to engage the valve seat 72, and, as shown most clearly in FIG. 8, includes a body portion 84 and four radially extending flanges 86, the radial dimensions of these flanges being such that the outer faces thereof are in sliding contact with the wall 76. This prevents the valve member from tilting and binding in the beer passageway 72 during the movement thereof relative to the valve seat 74.

Although the aforementioned valve members 56 in the gas passageways are shown as having cylindrical body portions, I have determined that it is advantageous to use small radially extending flanges with these valve members, similar to the flanges employed with the beer passageway valve member 80.

The valve actuator 82 includes a permanent magnet 88 which is enclosed within a casing 90, the latter being provided with short, radially-extending flanges 92 (FIG. 9) adjacent the top and bottom ends thereof, also for sliding engagement with the wall 76 of the beer passageway 72. A small Teflon plug 94 may be inserted in the upper end of the casing 90, primarily to maintain the magnet 88 in position within the casing. As mentioned above, it is preferable to have the casing made from a light weight material.

Because the valve member 80 should be yieldably biased upwardly toward the closed position, and the upper end of the valve actuator magnet 88 is above the upper ends of the stationary magnets 62 and 63, the upper end of the movable magnet 88 is of opposite polarity from the polarity of the upper ends of the stationary magnets 62 and 63, whereby the movable magnet is repelled in the upward direction.

It will be understood that the flanges 86 of the valve member 80 and the flanges 92 of the valve actuator 82, provides a space between said members and the wall of the beer passageway, to permit the free flow of beer therethrough when the valve member 80 is in the open position, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

A sleeve 96 is press-fitted into the beer passageway 76 adjacent the lower end of the housing 38 (FIG. 2) to provide a shoulder 98 which limits the downward of the valve actuator 92.

As indicated hereinabove, and to those familiar with the beer siphoning art, the keg adapter 24 is installed in the keg 14 with the retaining ring 43 maintaining it in position, prior to the filling of the keg with beer. It is conventional to fill a keg of this type through the bung hole or opening 14 in the side wall of the keg, which opening is thereafter closed with the wooden bung or plug 15.

As explained above, the valve actuators 58 and 82 maintain their respective valve members in the closed position, thereby preventing the beer in the keg from flowing through the gas passageways 50 and the beer passageway 76 during the filling operation. Also, the beer within the keg is under a residual or filling pressure .which is normally from about 9 to about 34 pounds per square inch, and this pressure obviously aids in maintaining the aforementioned valves in the closed position.

On the other hand, when the keg 14 is empty and the beer filling bung 15 has been removed for purposes of washing out the keg with the keg adapter 24 in position, a water hose fitting (not shown) can be engaged with the flange 34'(FIG. 2), and the water pressure will unseat the valve members 56 and 80 and permit the water to enter the interior of the keg through the beer passageway 76 and the gas passageways 50 and the vents 64. The absence of coiled springs and similar convolutions, achieved by the use of sets of permanent magnets, results in quicker and more effective cleaning of the keg adapter. Also, as mentioned above, coiled springs become set" through usage and also break from fatigue failure, thereby requiring frequent replacement. Contrarywise, the permanent magnets, as valve actuators, will last as long as the keg adapter housing.

Shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 is an alternative form of a keg adapter 230, which is more economical to manufacture than the keg adapter 24, and which has better flow characteristics through the liquid passageway.

The adapter 230 includes a housing 232 molded from a rigid plastic material, with a generally cylindrical upper portion containing an outwardly extending flange 234 at the upper end thereof to be received in the opening in the top wall of a Golden Gate keg, as previously described with the keg adapter 24. There are several different plastic materials which are suitable for producing the housing 232, but I prefer a polyterephthalate material which is resistent to caustic cleaning materials, such as Eastman Chemical Products PTMP-6 PRO.

Formed in the upper end of the housing is a large cylindrical recess 236 with a bottom wall 238. Extending longitudinally through the housing from the wall 238, are a central axial passageway 240 and two diametrically opposed gas passageways 242 and 244, each gas passageway having a small upper portion 246 and a larger lower portion 248 with a valve seat 250 therebetween. A gas port 252 is in communication with each gas passageway below the valve seat 250.

Slidably received in each of the enlarged lower portions 248 of the gas passageways in a valve assembly which includes a valve member 254 with ribs 255 and a valve actuator 256, the latter comprising an elongated, cylindrical permanent magnet with a polished nickel-plated outer surface, whereby it has a low coefficient of friction. Each end of the valve actuator 256 is preferably beveled to reduce friction. The upper end of each permanent magnet 256 is in an abutting relationship with its respective valve member.

Embedded in the housing on opposite sides of each gas passageway and spaced an equal distance therefrom are two elongated permanent magnets 258 and 260 which are generally parallel with the gas passageways. As shown in FIG. 13, the upper ends of the stationary magnets 258 and 260 are offset, i.e., each is a different distance below the wall 238, with the upper ends of both stationary magnets being above the upper end of the movable valve actuator magnet 256. The upper ends of the stationary magnets are of the same polarity, and opposite to the polarity of the upper end of the movable magnet 256, whereby the latter is pulled upwardly with the valve member 254 thereby being yieldably biased toward the closed position. I have discovered that offsetting the ends of the stationary magnets greatly increases the effectiveness of them regarding the movement of the movable magnet 256.

The stationary magnets 258 and 260 (FIG. 13) can be embedded and/or formed in the housing in various ways. One way is to mold cylindrical cavities 262 and 264 in the housing, with openings at the bottom of the housing, then insert the permanent magnets 258 and 260 into the cavities, and close the cavities and maintain the stationary magnets in position with plastic plugs 266 and 268 which are cemented in place or held in place with transversely extending pins (not shown).

An alternative construction comprises pouring magnetizable metal particles mixed with a binder into each of the cavities 262 and 264, and activating the binder, thereby forming the metal mass in position. Thereafter, all of the metal masses are permanently magnetized at the same time and prior to the assembly of the movable magnets.

As shown in FIG. 11, the central passageway 240 in the housing receives a liquid valve assembly which includes a tubular member 270 having a liquid passageway therethrough, with a valve seat 272 adjacent the upper end thereof and internal threads 274 adjacent the bottom end. An external annular groove 276 is contained in the upper end of the member and receives an O-ring 278, similar to the O-ring in the firstdescribed construction. An external flange 280 engages an O-ring 282 which is received in an annular groove 284 formed in the wall 238.

Extending upwardly into the lower end of the tubular member 270 is a fitting 286 with a liquid passageway therethrough, the fitting being fastened to the upper end of the siphon tube 78, and which includes external threads for engagement with the threads 274 of the tubular member. Upper and lower O-rings 288 and 290, respectively, are received in external grooves of the fitting to provide a liquid seal between the fitting and the tubular member. An external flange 292 below the lower end of the housing limits the downward movement of the movable magnetic actuators 256.

Extending axially from the upper end of the fitting is a tubular portion 294 which is spaced inwardly of the inner wall of the tubular member 270 and which slidably receives an actuator 296 of a valve member 298 with ribs 299 which is adapted to engage the valve seat 272. The valve actuator 296 is also a permanent magnet of cylindrical shape, preferably nickel-plated, with the upper end thereof having the same polarity as the upper ends of the stationary magnets 258 and 260 (FIG. 12), whereby the movable magnet 296 is repelled in the upward direction by the two sets of stationary magnets so as to yieldably bias the liquid valve 298 to the closed position. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, each set of stationary magnets 258 and 260 is equi-distance from each of the gas valve magnetic actuators 256, as well as being equi-distant from the liquid valve magnetic actuator 296. In addition, imaginary planes passing through the axis of the spaced apart stationary magnets 258 and 260 intersect on a line which coincides with the axis of the liquid valve magnetic actuator 296.

Opposed ports 300 adjacent the bottom of the tubular portion 294 provide for the escape of entrapped fluid below the magnetic actuator 296 when the latter moves downwardly, as for example during a washing operation, and to provide for the flow of liquid into and out of the keg through the siphon tube 78. A transversely extending pin 302 limits the downward movement of the actuator 296.

Turning next to a consideration of the construction of the tapper 22, as shown in FIG. 1 it is connected through hoses 18 and 21 with the supply of gas and with the faucet, respectively, and is continuously being reused by uncoupling it from an empty keg and recoupling it to a full keg. Accordingly, as mentioned hereinabove, it is advantageous to have a tapper which is easy to use and which can be quickly engaged with the aforementioned keg adapter, followed by a simple and easy tapping operation.

The tapper 22 (FIG. 2) includes an upper tapper housing 106 and a lower tapper housing 108 interconnected for limited vertical relative movement. The upper housing includes a longitudinally extending tap rod assembly passageway 110 which is counter-bored at the top to provide an enlarged cavity 112 with an annular peripheral wall 114. An axially inclined camming slot 116 (FIG. 7) is provided in the wall 114 for a purpose to appear.

Slidably received in the passageway 110 is a tap rod assembly 118 which comprises an actuator and a tap rod 120. The actuator 118 includes a two-piece tubular fitting 122 and 123 containing external threads 124 at the top thereof for attachment to the beer hose 21, a central beer passageway 126, and a handle 128 (FIGS. 3 and 6) which is fastened to the fitting 122 and which extends through the camming slot 1 16, whereby the ac- .tuator can be rotated and moved axially relative to the upper tapper housing 106 by moving the handle 128 circumferentially in the camming slot 116.

Extending transversely within the beer passageway 126 in the fitting 122 is a wall 130 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which contains a central opening 132 and four circumferentially spaced slots 134 to provide a support ledge for a purpose to appear, but which also provides for the passage of beer therethrough.

The lower part of the tubular fitting 123 contains a shoulder 136, a lower inner wall 138 for slidably receiving the upper portion of the tap rod 120, and a depending annular wall 140.

The tap rod 120 (FIG. 2) is cylindrical in shape with a machine screw 142 projecting from the upper end thereof, the shank of the screw extending through the opening 132 in the transversally extending wall 130, and the head of the screw being supportable on the wall portions projecting between the aforementioned slots 134 (FIG. 4).

An O-ring 144 is supported in an external groove adjacent the upper end of the tap rod 120, said O-ring 144 functioning as a valve in cooperation with the shoulder 136, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

An elongated central beer passageway 146 extends upwardly in the tap rod 120 and terminates adjacent the upper end thereof, said passageway being in communication with an external annular groove 148 through radially extending ports 150.

The outer surface of the tap rod adjacent the lower end thereof is enlarged to provide a shoulder 152, and immediately above said shoulder is an O-ring 154 received in an external groove, said O-ring also functioning as one part of a valve, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The lower end of the tap rod 120 is counter-bored to provide a spring chamber 156 with an inner wall surface 158 which is adapted to be in sliding sealing engagement with the outer wall 68 of the tubular bayonet portion 66 of the keg adapter. The lower end of the tap rod 120 also includes a bottom edge 160 which is adapted to engage the bottom wall 44 of the adapter housing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the spring chamber 156 contains a coiled spring 162 which has a free lower end adapted to engage and unseat the valve member 80.

Turning to a consideration of the construction of the lower tapper housing 108, the bottom portion thereof contains a chamber which receives the lower end of the tap rod 120, and which includes an upper shoulder 164 which coacts with the O-ring 154 to provide a valve, and an inner wall surface which is spaced from the outer surface of the tap rod so as to provide an annular passageway 166 therebetween.

An external annular groove with an O-ring 168 therein is provided adjacent the bottom end of the lower tapper housing, said O-ring 168 being adapted to seat on the shoulder 48 in sealing engagement therewith.

Above the aforementioned chamber and the shoulder 164 is a passageway for slidably receiving the tap rod 120, said passageway being counter-bored adjacent the lower end to provide a chamber 170 surrounding the body of the tap rod. The passageway is also counter-bored adjacent the upper end to receive the annular wall 140 of the actuator and to provide a shoulder 172 for engagement with the bottom edge of said annular wall.

Considering next in greater detail the gas passageways in the tapper, and referring more particularly to FIG. 3, the upper tapper housing 106 is provided with a gas hose fitting 174 which receives the hose l8, and which is in communication with an L-shaped passageway 176, the lower end of said passageway slidably and sealingly receiving the upper end of a nipple 178 which has a passageway 180 therethrough.

The lower end of the nipple 178 is slidably and sealingly received in a passageway 182 provided in the lower tapper housing, which passageway, in turn, is in communication with a pressure chamber 184 (FIGS. 2 and 3) through ports 186 and 188.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure chamber 184 is adapted to be in communication with one side of a diaphragm chamber 190 through a passageway 192 of reduced diameter which provides a valve seat 194 adjacent one end thereof.

A diaphragm 196 of conventional construction extends across the aforementioned diaphragm chamber, the diaphragm supporting a valve body 198 which has an O-ring 200 received in a groove which is adjacent the free end thereof, the O-ring being adapted to engage the valve seat 194. The valve body 198 is biased toward the open position in a conventional manner, as by a coiled spring 202.

Also in communication with said one side of the diaphragm chamber 190 is a lower chamber 204 which receives a duck-bill resilient valve member 206, the collapsible end of said duck-bill valve extending through a port 208 which is in communication with the chamber 170 surrounding the body of the tap rod.

As will be explained more fully hereinafter, there is a limited relative vertical movement between the upper and lower tapper housings 106 and 108, respectively, to effect a tight seal between the tapper 22 and the adapter 24 and the construction for achieving this sealing relationship includes two opposed straps 210 (FIG. 3), only one of which is shown in FIG. 3.

The upper end of each strap 110 is secured in a recess 212 in the upper tapper housing, as by means of a machine screw 214. The center portion of each strap contains a slot 216 which receives the shank of a machine screw 218 which is fastened to the lower tapper housing 108, the slot being slightly larger than the diameter of the screw shank to provide for the limited relative movement referred to above. The lower end of each strap contains a hook portion 220 which is adapted to pass through the slot 47 and be received in the groove 45 of the retaining ring 43, thereby fastening the tapper to the keg adapter.

In use, keg adapters 24 are installed in kegs 14 of conventional construction, said adapters being maintained in position by retaining rings 43 of conventional design. As mentioned above, the present invention has been shown and described with a Golden Gate keg.

The kegs are filled with beer through the opening 14 in the side wall, and the opening sealed with a plug or bung in a conventional manner.

As mentioned hereinabove, the valve members 56 close off the gas passageways 50 and the valve member 80 closes off the beer passageway 72, due to the forces exerted by their respective valve actuators which contain permanent magnets. As also mentioned hereinabove, there is a filling gas pressure in the keg of from about 9 to 34 pounds per square inch, and this pressure assists in maintaining the aforementioned valves in the closed position.

To tap a full keg 14, the keg is placed in an upright position as shown in FIG. 1 with the keg adapter 24 at the top, and the tapper 22 is pushed downwardly onto the keg adapter 24 so as to cause the hook portions 220 of the straps 210 to pass through the slots 47 in the retaining ring 43 and into the annular groove 45, and to cause the bayonet portion 66 of the adapter to be received in the spring chamber 156 with the O-ring in sealing engagement with the inner wall surface 158 as shown in FIG. 2.

The tapper 22 is then physically rotated approximately 90 degrees to move the hook portions 220, in the groove 45 and away from the slots 47.

If the tapper 22 had been in prior use or if the gas cylinder 16 were initially being opened, the compressed air or carbon dioxide gas will have traveled or will initially travel through the hose fitting 174, through the passageways 176, 180, 182, 186 and 188, and into the pressure chamber 184.

If the gas pressure were to high, the diaphragm 196 would move outwardly, thereby causing the O-ring 200 to engage the valve seat 194 and prevent the passage of gas into the tap rod area.

If the gas pressure is within the permissible range, the gas passes through the diaphragm chamber 190, through the lower chamber 204, past the duck-bill valve 206 and through the port 208 into the annular chamber 170 surrounding the tap rod 120.

In like manner, if the tapper had been in prior use dispsensing beer, the beer passageway 126 above the upper end of the tap rod 120 would contain a column of beer.

To initiate the tapping operation, the handle 128 (FIGS. 3 and 6) is rotated in the clock wise direction approximately 180 degrees, from the closed to the open position. This causes the fittings 122 and 123 of the actuator assembly to move downwardly relative to the upper tapper housing 106 and the wall 130 moves from under the head of the screw 142, until it engages the top of the tap rod 120, and then forces the tap rod 120 in the downward direction until the bottom edge 160 of the spring chamber wall engages the horizontally extending wall 44 of the adapter.

This downward movement of the tap rod 120 opens the gas passageways and the beer passage as shown in FIG. 5, and as explained below.

Thus, when the tap rod 120 moves downwardly and the O-ring 154 passes the shoulder 164, gas flows from the chamber 170, downwardly through the chamber 166 and into the gas passageways 50 above the valve members 56. This gas pressure will unseat the valve members 56 against the holding force of the valve actuators, and permit the gas to flow through the vents 64 and into the interior of the keg, provided the gas pressure in the tank 16 is greater than the gas pressure in the keg. This increases the pressure on the upper surface of the liquid, and causes it to be forced upwardly in the siphon tube 78.

Regarding the flow of beer, the initial downward movement of thetubular fittings 122 and 123 causes the O-ring 144 to pass the shoulder 136, thereby permitting beer to reverse flow from the passageway 126,

into the annular groove 148, through the ports 150, and into the beer passageway 146 in the tap rod and into the spring chamber 156 above the valve member 80.

As downward movement of the tubular fittings 122 and 123 continues, and the wall 130 thereof engages the upper end of the tap rod 120, the tap rod is moved downwardly as previously described and the free end of the coiled spring 162 moves the valve member away from its valve seat 74, thereby permitting the beer in the siphon tube to flow upwardly through the beer passageway 72, past the valve member 80 and into the spring chamber of 156 where it would join the beer which had reverse flow from the beer hose 21.

Although this mixing of old beer with new beer in the tapper 22 might appear to be undesirable, it is actually advantageous because the column of existing beer between the tapper 22 and faucet 20 prevents the beer from becoming wild, as might occur if the beer line 21 were empty and the beer gushed from the keg to the faucet when the latter were opened. Obviously, each time the faucet 20 is opened, beer flows from the keg, through the various beer passageways and the beer hose to the faucet, because of the pressure of the gas in the tap of the keg. And, each time the gas pressure in the keg drops below the gas pressure in the cylinder 16 and in the gas passageways 50, the gas valves 54 will be forced open to provide for the flow of additional gas into the keg.

As mentioned hereinabove, there is relative movement between the upper and lower tapper housings 106 and 108, respectively which results in a tight sealing relationship between the tapper 22 and the adapter 24.

In describing the tapping operation, it was pointed out that the tubular fittings 122 and 123, and the tap rod were moved downwardly to interconnect the gas cylinder 16 with the gas passageways 50 and the faucet 20 with the interior of the keg 13.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be noted that as the fittings 122 and 123 are moved downwardly by actuating the handle 128, the bottom edge of the annular wall of the upper tapper housing engages the shoulder 172 of the lower tapper housing, thereby forcing the lower housing downwardly and away from the upper housing. However, because the upper housing 106 is connected to the retaining ring 43 by the straps 210 (FIG. 3), the aforesaid downward movement of the lower housing achieves two results, viz. it forces the O- ring 168 (FIG. into tight sealing engagement with the shoulder 48 at the top of the adapter 24, and it pulls the hook portions 220 (FIG. 3) into a tight holding relationship with the groove 45 in the retaining ring 43.

To disengage the tapper 22 from the adapter 24 with a column of beer in the various passageways, as previously described, the handle 128 is turned in the counterclockwise direction to release the pressure between the bottom edge of the annular wall 140 and the shoulder 172, and to cause the tubular fittings 122 and 123 to be moved in the upward direction relative to the upper and lower tapper housings 106 and 108, respectively, and relative to the tap rod 120. As the shoulder 136 passes the O-ring 144, beer is prevented from flowing from the passageway 146 in the tap rod and into the beer passageway 126. And, when the O-ring 154 passes the shoulder 152, gas is prevented from flowing from the annular chamber 170 into the chamber 166.

When gas flow into the keg ceases and the gas pressure is equalized on the ends of the valve members 56 and valve actuators 58, the valve member 56 are moved into the closed position due to the force of the valve actuators 58, as previously described, thereby closing the gas passageways into the keg.

Further upward movement of the tap rod 120, either under pressure from the column of beer in the passageway 146 or by reason of the wall 130 engaging the head of the screw 142, causing the coiled spring 162 to move upwardly and permit the beer valve member 80 to be moved to the closed position due to the force of the valve actuator 82.

Obviously, with the beer and gas valves in the keg adapter in the closed position, and with the gas and beer passageways in the tapper also being closed, the tapper 22 can be disengaged from the keg adapter 24 by rotating it until the hook portions 220 of the straps 210 are in alignment with the slots 47 in the retaining ring 43. The tapper 22 can then be pulled away from the adapter 24.

Thus it is apparent that there has been produced a novel liquid dispensing apparatus which fullfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor.

I claim:

1. Liquid dispensing apparatus for kegs, comprising in combination:

an adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg and including a housing containing magnetic material;

a liquid passageway through said adapter housing containing an inlet and an outlet with a first valve seat therebetween, the inlet being adapted to be in communication with the interior of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;

a first valve member associated with said first valve seat and movable between an open position and a closed position relative thereto;

means yieldably biasing the first valve member toward the closed position;

a gas passageway through said adapter housing containing an inlet and an outlet with a second valve seat therebetween,

the outlet being adapted to be in communication with the interior of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;

a second valve member associated with said second valve seat and movable between an open position and a closed position relative thereto;

means yieldably biasing the second valve member toward the closed position;

at least one of said valve member biasing means including a permanent magnet having limited movement relative to said housing;

tapper for sealing engagement with said adapter and including a housing;

a gas passageway through said tapper housing having an inlet and an outlet with a third valve therebetween movable between an open position and a closed position, the inlet being connectable to a source of gas under pressure, and the outlet being in communication with the inlet of the gas passageway in the adapter housing when the tapper and adapter are in sealing engagement;

a liquid passageway through said tapper housing having an inlet and an outlet with a fourth valve therebetween movable between an open position and a closed position, the inlet being in communication with the outlet of the liquid passageway in the adapter housing when the tapper and the adapter are in sealing engagement;

actuating means supported in the tapper housing and movable between an operative position and an inoperative position; and

means responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative position to the operative position for moving the first, third and fourth valves from the closed position to the open position.

2. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in which each of the biasing means for the first valve member and the second valve member includes a permanent magnet constructed and arranged to have limited movement relative to the adapter housing.

3. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second valve member is movable from the closed position to the open position when the adapter and tapper are in sealing engagement with the third valve member in the open position and the gas pressure in the inlet of the gas passageway in the adapter housing exceeds by a predetermined amount the gas pressure in a keg in which the adapter is mounted.

4. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes means responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative position to the operative position urging said tapper and adapter into said sealing engagement.

5. Liquid dispensing apparatus for kegs, comprising in combination:

an adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg and including a housing; means for retaining the adapter in the keg opening;

liquid and gas passageways extending through the adapter housing;

liquid valve means and gas valve means associated with said liquid and gas passageways respectively, and movable between an open position and a closed position;

a tapper containing liquid and gas passageways therethrough;

liquid valve means and gas valve means associated with said liquid and gas passageways, respectively,

in the tapper and movable between an open position and a closed position;

means for interconnecting the tapper with the adapter housing with the liquid and gas passageways in the tapper in communication with the liquid and gas passageways, respectively, in the adapter housing;

an actuating member supported by the tapper and movable between an operative position and an inoperative position; and

means responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative position to the operative position for moving the liquid valve means in the adapter housing to the open position and for forcing the interconnected tapper and adapter housing into sealing engagement.

6. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, which further includes means responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative position to the operative position for moving the liquid valve means and the gas valve means in the tapper from the closed position to the open position.

7. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, in which the tapper includes an upper housing and a lower housing interconnected for limited relative movement, the upper housing being connected to said adapter retaining means and the lower housing being in engagement with the adapter housing; and in which the means for forcing together the tapper and the adapter housing in sealing relationship includes means supported on the upper tapper housing for limited movement relative to said upper tapper housing and for engagement with the lower tapper housing to move said housings apart responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative position to the operative position.

8. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, in which the adapter retaining means contains spaced apart recesses; the tapper includes an upper housing and a lower housing interconnected for limited relative movement; the upper tapper housing is connected to the adapter retaining means by means which include projections which are received in said spaced apart recesses; and the actuating member includes a handle which is received in a slot in the upper tapper housing.

9. An adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg, comprising:

a housing containing magnetic material;

a liquid passageway through said housing for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;

normally closed liquid valve means disposed in communication with said liquid passageway;

a gas passageway through said housing for the transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; and

normally closed gas valve means disposed in communication with said gas passageway, at least one of said valve means including a valve member for engagement with a valve seat and a valve actuator comprising a movable permanent magnet in operative engagement with said valve member.

10. An adapter according to claim 9, in which the liq- 65 uid valve means and the gas valve means each includes a valve member for engagement with a valve seat and a valve actuator comprising a movable permanent magnet in operative engagement with the valve member.

11. An adapter according to claim 9, in which the magnetic material in the housing includes at least one 5 stationary permanent magnet.

12. An adapter according to claim 9, in which the movable permanent magnet is slidably positioned in an actuator passageway.

13. An adapter according to claim 9, in which:

the movable permanent magnet is positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis;

the magnetic material in the housing includes at least one stationary permanent magnet with a longitudinal axis; and

the axis of the actuator passageway is substantially parallel with the axis of the stationary magnet.

14. An adapter according to claim 9, in which:

the movable permanent magnet is positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis;

the magnetic material in the housing includes two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes; and

the two stationary magnets are positioned on opposite sides of and equi-distant from the axis of the actuator passageway.

15. An adapter according to claim 14, in which the 30 axes of the stationary magnets are substantially parallel with the axis of the actuator passageway.

16. An adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg, comprising:

a housing;

a fluid passageway through said housing for the transmission of fluid between the outside and the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;

valve means disposed in communication with said fluid passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, including a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis;

two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator passageway;

the two stationary magnets having adjacent ends which are adjacent to one end of the actuator magnet when the first valve means is in the closed position; and

said adjacent ends being the same distance from said one end of the actuator magnet.

17. An adapter for mounting in the wall of a keg,

comprising:

a housing;

a fluid passageway through said housing for the transmission of fluid between the outside and the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;

valve means disposed in communication with said fluid passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, including a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis;

two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator passageway;

the two stationary magnets having adjacent ends which are adjacent to one end of the actuator magnet when the flrst valve means is in the closed position; and

said adjacent ends being at unequal distances from said one end of the actuator magnet.

18. An adapter for mounting in the wall of a keg,

comprising:

a housing;

a fluid passageway through said housing for the transmission of fluid between the outside and the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;

valve means disposed in communication with said fluid passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, including a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis;

two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator passageway;

two gas passageways through said housing for the transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted;

gas valve means disposed in communication with each gas passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, each of which means includes a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in a separate actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis;

the two gas valve actuator passageways being on opposite sides of the fluid valve actuator passageway; and

a set of two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of each of the gas valve actuator passageways.

19. An adapter according to claim 18, in which the axes of all actuator passageways and stationary magnets are substantially parallel.

20. An adapter according to claim 18, in which the axes of each set of stationary magnets are equi-distant from the gas valve actuator passageway adjacent thereto.

21. An adapter according to claim 18, in which the axis of each stationary magnet is equi-distant from the axis of the fluid valve actuator passageway.

22. An adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg, comprising:

a housing having an upper end;

an opening extending through the housing from said upper end;

a tubular member positioned in said opening and extending inwardly from the upper end of the housing, said tubular member containing a fluid passageway therethrough having a valve seat adjacent the upper end thereof and adjacent the upper end of the housing;

a siphon tube connected to the lower end of the tubular member through a tubular fitting, the siphon tube being in communication with said fluid passageway;

a fluid valve member including a permanent magnet mounted in said fluid passageway for limited longitudinal movement relative to said valve seat between an open position and a closed position; and

means associated with said fluid valve permanent magnet yieldably biasing the fluid valve member toward the closed position.

23. An adapter according to claim 22, in which the fluid valve magnet is slidably received in a tubular projection which is interconnected with said fitting.

24. An adapter according to claim 23, in which:

the tubular projection is spaced inwardly of the wall of the tubular member to provide an annular passageway therebetween; and

the tubular fitting contains a passageway interconnecting the interior thereof with said annular passageway to provide for fluid flow from the interior of said fitting to said annular passageway.

25. A tapper for interconnection with an adapter which is mounted in an opening contained in the wall of a keg, comprising:

a housing;

a gas passageway in said housing having an inlet and an outlet with a gas valve therebetween movable between a closed position and an open position, the inlet being adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure;

a liquid passageway in said housing having an inlet and an outlet with a liquid valve therebetweenmovable between an open position and a closed position, the outlet being adapted to be connected to a liquid dispensing devide;

actuating means supported by the housing and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position; and

tapping means supported in said housing and responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative to the operative position for moving said gas valve and said liquid valve from the closed to the open position,

said tapping means also being responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the operative to the inoperative position for moving said gas valve and said liquid valve from the open to the closed position.

26. a tapper according to claim 25, in which the tapping means includes a tap rod which is mounted for longitudinal movement in a chamber contained in said housing, and the chamber contains spaced-apart internal shoulders which form a part of said gas valve and said liquid valve.

27. A tapper according to claim 25, in which:

the tapping means includes a tap rod with a longitudinally extending chamber therein, which chamber forms a part of said liquid passageway;

the chamber is open at one end to provide the inlet to said liquid passageway; and

an outlet at the other end of the chamber terminates adjacent one of said external shoulders which forms a part of the liquid valve.

28. A tapper according to claim 25, which further includes a safety valve in communication with the gas passageway in the housing, which safety valve is responsive to the pressure in the gas passageway to close,

said gas passageway when the gas pressure therein exceeds the outside air pressure by a predetermined amount.

29. A tapper according to claim 25, in which the actuating means includes a tubular member which is rotatable and axially movable relative to said housing.

30. A tapper according to claim 25, in which:

the tapping means includes a tap rod with a longitudinally extending chamber therein which chamber forms a part of said liquid passageway;

the chamber is open at one end of the tap rod to provide the inlet to said liquid passageway;

the actuating means includes a tubular member having inner and outer ends and being supported in the housing for limited rotational movement relative thereto, the outer end of the tubular member forming a part of the outlet of the liquid passageway; and

the inner end of the tubular member receives the other end of the tap rod.

31. A tapper according to claim 30 in which the inner end of the tubular member and said other end of the tap rod are in sliding, sealing engagement and contain interengaging means providing limited axial movement therebetween.

32. A tapper according to claim 31, in which:

the tubular member contains an inner shoulder adjacent the inner end thereof;

the tap rod contains an externally mounted O-ring adjacent said other end which is received in the inner end of the tubular member; and

said tubular member and tap rod being mounted in the housing for limited axial movement therebetween, with said shoulder and said O-ring comprising said liquid valve in the liquid passageway.

33. A tapper according to claim 25, in which:

the housing comprises an upper housing member and a lower housing member interconnected for limited relative movement therebetween; and

means carried by the upper housing member for engagement with the lower housing member to move said housing members apart, responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative to the operative position.

34. A tapper according to claim 33, in which the upper housing member contains means for connecting it to the wall of a keg or the like at the opening containing an adapter, whereby when the actuator is moved from the inoperative to the operative position, the lower housing member is forced into sealing engagement with such adapter. 

1. Liquid dispensing apparatus for kegs, comprising in combination: an adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg and including a housing containing magnetic material; a liquid passageway through said adapter housing containing an inlet and an outlet with a first valve seat therebetween, the inlet being adapted to be in communication with the interior of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; a first valve member associated with said first valve seat and movable between an open position and a closed position relative thereto; means yieldably biasing the first valve member toWard the closed position; a gas passageway through said adapter housing containing an inlet and an outlet with a second valve seat therebetween, the outlet being adapted to be in communication with the interior of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; a second valve member associated with said second valve seat and movable between an open position and a closed position relative thereto; means yieldably biasing the second valve member toward the closed position; at least one of said valve member biasing means including a permanent magnet having limited movement relative to said housing; a tapper for sealing engagement with said adapter and including a housing; a gas passageway through said tapper housing having an inlet and an outlet with a third valve therebetween movable between an open position and a closed position, the inlet being connectable to a source of gas under pressure, and the outlet being in communication with the inlet of the gas passageway in the adapter housing when the tapper and adapter are in sealing engagement; a liquid passageway through said tapper housing having an inlet and an outlet with a fourth valve therebetween movable between an open position and a closed position, the inlet being in communication with the outlet of the liquid passageway in the adapter housing when the tapper and the adapter are in sealing engagement; actuating means supported in the tapper housing and movable between an operative position and an inoperative position; and means responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative position to the operative position for moving the first, third and fourth valves from the closed position to the open position.
 2. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in which each of the biasing means for the first valve member and the second valve member includes a permanent magnet constructed and arranged to have limited movement relative to the adapter housing.
 3. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second valve member is movable from the closed position to the open position when the adapter and tapper are in sealing engagement with the third valve member in the open position and the gas pressure in the inlet of the gas passageway in the adapter housing exceeds by a predetermined amount the gas pressure in a keg in which the adapter is mounted.
 4. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes means responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative position to the operative position urging said tapper and adapter into said sealing engagement.
 5. Liquid dispensing apparatus for kegs, comprising in combination: an adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg and including a housing; means for retaining the adapter in the keg opening; liquid and gas passageways extending through the adapter housing; liquid valve means and gas valve means associated with said liquid and gas passageways respectively, and movable between an open position and a closed position; a tapper containing liquid and gas passageways therethrough; liquid valve means and gas valve means associated with said liquid and gas passageways, respectively, in the tapper and movable between an open position and a closed position; means for interconnecting the tapper with the adapter housing with the liquid and gas passageways in the tapper in communication with the liquid and gas passageways, respectively, in the adapter housing; an actuating member supported by the tapper and movable between an operative position and an inoperative position; and means responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative position to the operative position for moving the liquid valve means in the adapter housing to the open position and for forcing the interconnected tapper and adapter housing into sealing engagement.
 6. Liquid dispensing apparatus according tO claim 5, which further includes means responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative position to the operative position for moving the liquid valve means and the gas valve means in the tapper from the closed position to the open position.
 7. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, in which the tapper includes an upper housing and a lower housing interconnected for limited relative movement, the upper housing being connected to said adapter retaining means and the lower housing being in engagement with the adapter housing; and in which the means for forcing together the tapper and the adapter housing in sealing relationship includes means supported on the upper tapper housing for limited movement relative to said upper tapper housing and for engagement with the lower tapper housing to move said housings apart responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative position to the operative position.
 8. Liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, in which the adapter retaining means contains spaced apart recesses; the tapper includes an upper housing and a lower housing interconnected for limited relative movement; the upper tapper housing is connected to the adapter retaining means by means which include projections which are received in said spaced apart recesses; and the actuating member includes a handle which is received in a slot in the upper tapper housing.
 9. An adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg, comprising: a housing containing magnetic material; a liquid passageway through said housing for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; normally closed liquid valve means disposed in communication with said liquid passageway; a gas passageway through said housing for the transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; and normally closed gas valve means disposed in communication with said gas passageway, at least one of said valve means including a valve member for engagement with a valve seat and a valve actuator comprising a movable permanent magnet in operative engagement with said valve member.
 10. An adapter according to claim 9, in which the liquid valve means and the gas valve means each includes a valve member for engagement with a valve seat and a valve actuator comprising a movable permanent magnet in operative engagement with the valve member.
 11. An adapter according to claim 9, in which the magnetic material in the housing includes at least one stationary permanent magnet.
 12. An adapter according to claim 9, in which the movable permanent magnet is slidably positioned in an actuator passageway.
 13. An adapter according to claim 9, in which: the movable permanent magnet is positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis; the magnetic material in the housing includes at least one stationary permanent magnet with a longitudinal axis; and the axis of the actuator passageway is substantially parallel with the axis of the stationary magnet.
 14. An adapter according to claim 9, in which: the movable permanent magnet is positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis; the magnetic material in the housing includes two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes; and the two stationary magnets are positioned on opposite sides of and equi-distant from the axis of the actuator passageway.
 15. An adapter according to claim 14, in which the axes of the stationary magnets are substantially parallel with the axis of the actuator passageway.
 16. An adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg, comprising: a housing; a fluid passageway through said housing for the transmission of fluid between the outside and the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; valve mEans disposed in communication with said fluid passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, including a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis; two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator passageway; the two stationary magnets having adjacent ends which are adjacent to one end of the actuator magnet when the first valve means is in the closed position; and said adjacent ends being the same distance from said one end of the actuator magnet.
 17. An adapter for mounting in the wall of a keg, comprising: a housing; a fluid passageway through said housing for the transmission of fluid between the outside and the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; valve means disposed in communication with said fluid passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, including a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis; two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator passageway; the two stationary magnets having adjacent ends which are adjacent to one end of the actuator magnet when the first valve means is in the closed position; and said adjacent ends being at unequal distances from said one end of the actuator magnet.
 18. An adapter for mounting in the wall of a keg, comprising: a housing; a fluid passageway through said housing for the transmission of fluid between the outside and the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; valve means disposed in communication with said fluid passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, including a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in an actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis; two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of the axis of the actuator passageway; two gas passageways through said housing for the transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of a keg in which the adapter may be mounted; gas valve means disposed in communication with each gas passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, each of which means includes a valve actuator comprising a permanent magnet positioned for limited longitudinal movement in a separate actuator passageway which has a longitudinal axis; the two gas valve actuator passageways being on opposite sides of the fluid valve actuator passageway; and a set of two stationary permanent magnets with longitudinal axes positioned on opposite sides of each of the gas valve actuator passageways.
 19. An adapter according to claim 18, in which the axes of all actuator passageways and stationary magnets are substantially parallel.
 20. An adapter according to claim 18, in which the axes of each set of stationary magnets are equi-distant from the gas valve actuator passageway adjacent thereto.
 21. An adapter according to claim 18, in which the axis of each stationary magnet is equi-distant from the axis of the fluid valve actuator passageway.
 22. An adapter for mounting in an opening in the wall of a keg, comprising: a housing having an upper end; an opening extending through the housing from said upper end; a tubular member positioned in said opening and extending inwardly from the upper end of the housing, said tubular member containing a fluid passageway therethrough having a valve seat adjacent the upper end thereof and adjacent the upper end of the housing; a siphon tube connected to the lower end of the tubular member through a tubular fitting, the siphon tube being in communication with said fluid passageway; a fluid valvE member including a permanent magnet mounted in said fluid passageway for limited longitudinal movement relative to said valve seat between an open position and a closed position; and means associated with said fluid valve permanent magnet yieldably biasing the fluid valve member toward the closed position.
 23. An adapter according to claim 22, in which the fluid valve magnet is slidably received in a tubular projection which is interconnected with said fitting.
 24. An adapter according to claim 23, in which: the tubular projection is spaced inwardly of the wall of the tubular member to provide an annular passageway therebetween; and the tubular fitting contains a passageway interconnecting the interior thereof with said annular passageway to provide for fluid flow from the interior of said fitting to said annular passageway.
 25. A tapper for interconnection with an adapter which is mounted in an opening contained in the wall of a keg, comprising: a housing; a gas passageway in said housing having an inlet and an outlet with a gas valve therebetween movable between a closed position and an open position, the inlet being adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure; a liquid passageway in said housing having an inlet and an outlet with a liquid valve therebetween movable between an open position and a closed position, the outlet being adapted to be connected to a liquid dispensing devide; actuating means supported by the housing and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position; and tapping means supported in said housing and responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the inoperative to the operative position for moving said gas valve and said liquid valve from the closed to the open position, said tapping means also being responsive to the movement of the actuating means from the operative to the inoperative position for moving said gas valve and said liquid valve from the open to the closed position.
 26. a tapper according to claim 25, in which the tapping means includes a tap rod which is mounted for longitudinal movement in a chamber contained in said housing, and the chamber contains spaced-apart internal shoulders which form a part of said gas valve and said liquid valve.
 27. A tapper according to claim 25, in which: the tapping means includes a tap rod with a longitudinally extending chamber therein, which chamber forms a part of said liquid passageway; the chamber is open at one end to provide the inlet to said liquid passageway; and an outlet at the other end of the chamber terminates adjacent one of said external shoulders which forms a part of the liquid valve.
 28. A tapper according to claim 25, which further includes a safety valve in communication with the gas passageway in the housing, which safety valve is responsive to the pressure in the gas passageway to close said gas passageway when the gas pressure therein exceeds the outside air pressure by a predetermined amount.
 29. A tapper according to claim 25, in which the actuating means includes a tubular member which is rotatable and axially movable relative to said housing.
 30. A tapper according to claim 25, in which: the tapping means includes a tap rod with a longitudinally extending chamber therein which chamber forms a part of said liquid passageway; the chamber is open at one end of the tap rod to provide the inlet to said liquid passageway; the actuating means includes a tubular member having inner and outer ends and being supported in the housing for limited rotational movement relative thereto, the outer end of the tubular member forming a part of the outlet of the liquid passageway; and the inner end of the tubular member receives the other end of the tap rod.
 31. A tapper according to claim 30 in which the inner end of the tubular member and said other end of the tap rod are in sliding, sealing engagement and contain interengaging means Providing limited axial movement therebetween.
 32. A tapper according to claim 31, in which: the tubular member contains an inner shoulder adjacent the inner end thereof; the tap rod contains an externally mounted O-ring adjacent said other end which is received in the inner end of the tubular member; and said tubular member and tap rod being mounted in the housing for limited axial movement therebetween, with said shoulder and said O-ring comprising said liquid valve in the liquid passageway.
 33. A tapper according to claim 25, in which: the housing comprises an upper housing member and a lower housing member interconnected for limited relative movement therebetween; and means carried by the upper housing member for engagement with the lower housing member to move said housing members apart, responsive to the movement of the actuating member from the inoperative to the operative position.
 34. A tapper according to claim 33, in which the upper housing member contains means for connecting it to the wall of a keg or the like at the opening containing an adapter, whereby when the actuator is moved from the inoperative to the operative position, the lower housing member is forced into sealing engagement with such adapter. 